Bismarck weekly tribune., 1887-09-30

Will HanuS clencneQ. Inc cnlof point
brought out by the prosecution by this
witness was the fact that Baker knew or
said he knew that Olsen was dead.
Sheriff Wade of Emmons county was
next called foI the prosecution and testi-
fed that Bakef told him that he (Baker)
took the food and strychnine to Olsen's
house on the day of the homicide. He also
stated that Baker had told him number
of contradictory stories concerning the cir
cumstances of his visit to Olsen's house,
and if all that he. says is true the defendant
was,at least badly confused by Olsen's
death. In the afternoon Mr.. Wade was
the victim of a cross-examination fire
/ from MIR. Erwin which was about as severe
and scathing as has ever been listened to
in a Bismarck court room. The court and
Mr.. Erwin "crossed swords" several times
and the way that fur flew was a source of
much delight to the audience. The case is
being tried for all it is worth and the de-
fense is fighting onslaughts of the prosecu-
ton inch by inch. Mr.. Wade passed
through the cross-examination ordeal
without any serious wounds, and was dis
missed from the stand last evening.
DIR. Petit who made post-mortem ex-
animation of the body of Olsen will be
called this morning to give expert testi-
mony, and his evidence on examination by
counsel for the prosecution and defense
will in all probability be one of the most
interesting features of the trial. The
prosecution will endeavor. to prove by DR..
Petit that Olsen was poisoned by strych-
nine and it IS reasonable to expect that the
defense will put the doctors statements to
scientific test.
EPISODES IN COURT.
Mr.. Erwin asked Sheriff Wade if he had
not conspired to have Bakers, wife desert
him and leave the country. Mr.. Wade en-
phatically cried "Nov'
1t may be we'll to state here that since
Bakers incarceration his wife has left the
country, taking with her lit is claimed)
81 400 of the defendants money and mis-
children. She is now living in Washington
territory having been married to Scandi-
navian, if rumOr can be relied upon.
After Mr.. Erwin had got into discussion
on the question Of Wade's conspiring to in
duce Bakers wife to leave, the Judge re-
marked that it Mr.. Erwin desired inform
alton on this point he could get it from the
brother of the defendant who was sitting in
the room. The court then asked Mr.. Baker
(brother OF defendant) it he did not tell the
court that he had given his brothers. wife
$3.50 to assist her in leaving. Mr.. Baker re-
piled that he had made no such statement,
but that he said that sne had beaten him
out of $3.50, $50 of which he had sent to his
brother. A wrangle was about to ensue
when the judge stated that for the sake of
pvnndifInn fn Jolo
he would admit that he was mistaken and
that Mr.. Bakers statement was correct. In
the meantime Sheriff Wade was looking
doggers at MIR. Erwin flor having charged
him with conspiracy to rob Baker Of a
wife.
Counsel for the defense also asked Mr..
Wade If he had not manufactured testi-
m0ny to criminate Baker since he
(Wade) testified before the Justice, and
again the sheriffic voice from EmmOns
county shook the court house with cy-
clOnic-Iaden "No"'
Mr.. Erwin strove herocally to impeach
the testimony of Sheriff Wade, but he has
undertaken a difficult task in community
where Wade is known.
Wednesdays PROCEEDINGS.
The first witness placed on the stand
was DR.. Petit, who held the post mortem
examination on Olsen's body. The doctor
was placed upon the stand by the prose
cution to prove the existence of strychnine
in the stomach Of the dead man. He testi-
fed that he found about one-quarter of a
grain in one side of the stomach, but the
question asked by Mr.. Flannery to dis
cover how much poison would be in the
entire body with the one-quarter of a grain
in One-half of the stomach was objected
to by the defense and the objection sus-
tanned by the court. The cross -examin-
alton of the doctor by Mr.. Erwin was
most artistic and proved that the attorney
was not stranger to the science of medi-
cine. But the doctor was bright witness
and was so well up in his profession that
ne pulled through without stumble.
Joseph Denham was the next witness
1t was at Denham's house that Baker first
appeared after the death of Olsen. He
stopped at Denham's to get some one to 90
with him to Williamsport. John Albright
was also called to the stand as he was at
Denham's house at the time and accom-
panied Baker to Williamsport. The testi-
mony given by these men as to the story
told by Baker concerning his experience
with Olsen was merely corroborative of
testimony already given by witnesses for
the prosecution.
County Attorney Herrick, who went
with the coroner and Baker to the home of
Olsen and who was present during the cor
oner's inquest, was next called and re-
peated the story OF Bakers assurance to
the coroner that Olsen was dead and gave
the circumstances and details of the trip to
and from the ranch. Witness stated that
after the inquest was held he suggested to
those present that Baker be held until
further investigation could be made, as the
facts threw about him very strong sus-
pici0n.
THE MOST DAMAGING EVIDENCE
given was that of George Robidou
who was mail driver between Bismarck
and Robinson, and who purchased srych-
nine for Baker few days before the death
OF Olsen. Robidou being asked II he knew